Springs V8S (again.....)

[feithv8s]

Springs again...., old discussion and probably boring...

I am looking for new springs and Gaz shocks for my V8S. The ride height is 3-4 cm to high now.
Had my springs measured on 28cm free length with 400lbs front and 450lbs rear, i.e front is SOFTER then rear.

I am getting very confused about the advised rates.
A short summary:
- my car front/rear 400/450
- nearly all of you advise front STIFFER then rear (600/400 or more till appr. 340/280)
- also read Peter H's answers about the combination of springs and anti roll bars
- GAZ assures me that front must me SOFTER then rear
- the later V8S's have another rear suspension and need STIFFER springs in the front.

1) What should stiffer: front or back?
2) What rates?
3) Ever heard of different V8S rear suspensions? (of course, with TVR non-standard is standard)
4) Are the rates etc for the V6 completely different?
Is that probably the reason for all confusion?

Hope you like to answer again !!

André Feith
Holland


postings on PH

[Hoover33]

Mine is a V6.....

I was also confused with the information being offered on here when I was having my GAZ fitted.

I am running 300lbs on the front and 340lbs on rear. I had a chat with Tower View ,who can supply the GAZ dampers and springs for you, and they told me the spring ratings are fine.

I must admit I am not happy with the handling, however I believe that I have not got it set up properly. Hopefully Austec are going to sort this when car is in for service.

[GreenV8S]

feithv8s said:

- GAZ assures me that front must me SOFTER then rear - the later V8S's have another rear suspension and need STIFFER springs in the front.

With due respect to GAZ, I disagree. Front is *always* stiffer than the rear, and the S1/2/3 suspension geometry is virtually identical to the S4/V8S.

[joospeed]

Hoover33 said:

Mine is a V6..... I was also confused with the information being offered on here when I was having my GAZ fitted. I am running 300lbs on the front and 340lbs on rear. I had a chat with Tower View and they told me the spring ratings are fine. I must admit I am not happy with the handling,

I think this about sums it up.

All of us using higher front spring rates are happy with our handling ..

both peter and I spend a lot of time fiddling with our cars to get them just how we want them (or as close as time / money and talent will allow in my case) and we both have front springs about 40% stiffer than rear... make of that what you will.

[feithv8s]

Thank you all (up till now),

I think it might be wise to stick on the advise of Peter and Joolz !?

André F.

[19560]

joospeed said:

Hoover33 said: I was also confused with the information being offered on here when I was having my GAZ fitted. I am running 300lbs on the front and 340lbs on rear. I think this about sums it up. All of us using higher front spring rates are happy with our handling .. both Pter and I have front springs about 40% stiffer than rear... make of that what you will.

Or put the other way the rear is approx 70% the stiffness of the front appears to be a very good rule of thumb for any TVR produced in the last 35 years.

feithv8s said:

my car front/rear 400/450 nearly all of you advise front STIFFER then rear (600/400 or more till appr. 340/280) - also read Peter H's answers about the combination of springs and anti roll bars

400/290 would appear to be a good starting point for you. The anti roll bar calc is fine tuning unless you have modified the set up with stiffer bars and rose joints AFAIK.

[pantani201]

I have the same set up on my S 1.5 (400 front/450 rear)This was based on what Gaz told me when I asked them what springs and shocks to fit and Ive been pleased with my handling since I got them. I had to play around with the damper settings a bit at first.

>> Edited by pantani201 on Tuesday 1st February 22:01

[feithv8s]

I will try with STIFFER in front.

[feithv8s]

I will try with STIFFER in front.

[larryb]

I am a newish owner (1991 V8S) and have AVO adjustable Suspension which I believe is currently setup with the same amount of clicks all round.

Two questions:

(1) Why is better to make suspension stiffer at the front?

(2) By adjusting my front suspension (knob on shocks I think?) will it make any difference or does it all depend on the lbs rating of the springs?

Cheers

Larry

[GreenV8s]

The damper rate should be broadly proportional to the spring rate. The rear suspension is set softer than the front to increase grip at the rear when you are accelerating out of a corner, so you want stiffer springs on the front and stiffer dampers to match the springs.

[bugsy]

So am I right in thinking that if I don't want to change the springs that have only done about 6/7k miles that the Avo's should be more damped on the front than the back, if so by roughly what % does everybody think.

>> Edited by bugsy on Wednesday 2nd February 22:27